Who Is Amrita Pritam? Age, Biography and Wiki
Born on August 31, 1919, Amrita Pritam was a prolific Indian writer renowned for her poignant poetry and revolutionary literature. She passed away on October 31, 2005, leaving behind an indelible mark on Indian literature, primarily in Punjabi and Hindi languages. A key figure in Indian literature, Pritam was the first woman to receive the Jnanpeeth Award, India's highest literary honor. Her life story intertwines with the tumultuous socio-political fabric of India, and her works often reflect themes of love, loss, and the human experience.
| Occupation | Autobiographer |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | August 31, 1919 |
| Age | 86 Years |
| Birth Place | Gujranwala, Punjab Province, British India (now Punjab, Pakistan) |
| Horoscope | Virgo |
| Country | Pakistan |
| Date of death | 31 October, 2005 |
| Died Place | Delhi, India |
Popularity
Amrita Pritam's Popularity over time
Height, Weight & Measurements
While precise measurements of Amrita Pritam's height and weight are not extensively documented due to the nature of historical records, she is remembered for her graceful presence. Physically, she radiated the confidence and charm typical of a creative soul immersed in her craft.
Family, Dating & Relationship Status
Amrita Pritam's personal life was as impactful as her literary one. She was married to writer and historian, Dr. Prakash Pritam. The couple faced hardships, including separation, yet remained deeply connected through their shared literature and love for storytelling. Throughout her life, Pritam had a significant relationship with the renowned Punjabi poet Sahir Ludhianvi, which influenced much of her poetry. Although she faced romantic challenges, her relationships greatly enriched her literary pursuits.
She was the only child of Raj Bibi, a school teacher, and Kartar Singh Hitkari, a poet and a scholar of the Braj Bhasha language, and the editor of a literary journal. Besides this, he was a pracharak – a preacher of the Sikh faith. Amrita's mother died when she was eleven.
Soon after, she and her father moved to Lahore, where she lived till her migration to India in 1947. Confronting adult responsibilities and besieged by loneliness following her mother's death, she began to write at an early age.
Her first anthology of poems, Amrit Lehran ("Immortal Waves") was published in 1936, at age sixteen, the year she married Pritam Singh, an editor to whom she was engaged in early childhood and changed her name from Amrit Kaur to Amrita Pritam. Half a dozen collections of poems followed between 1936 and 1943.
Net Worth and Salary
Estimates of Amrita Pritam’s net worth at the time of her passing in 2005 varied, but it is speculated that she had accumulated a wealth spanning several million rupees. Posthumously, her literary estate continues to generate income through the sale of her works, royalties, and literary accolades. Pritam's legacy has solidified her status as a celebrated author whose writings are a source of inspiration for many.
Amrita Pritam worked until 1961 in the Punjabi service of All India Radio, Delhi. After her divorce in 1960, her work became more feminist. Many of her stories and poems drew on the unhappy experience of her marriage.
A number of her works have been translated into English, French, Danish, Japanese, Mandarin, and other languages from Punjabi and Urdu, including her autobiographical works Black Rose and Rasidi Ticket (Revenue Stamp).
Career, Business and Investments
Amrita Pritam enjoyed a remarkable career as a writer, greatly contributing to both Punjabi and Hindi literature. Starting with her early works in poetry, she evolved into a novelist and essayist who tackled pressing social issues. Her most notable works include "Langastan," "Pinjar," and "The Skeleton," showcasing her versatility in various literary forms. Pritam was also a journalist and an editor for several magazines, expanding her influence and reach within the literary community. As an advocate for women's rights and a supporter of social change, she invested her time in various literary initiatives and institutions promoting education and arts.
Social Network
Even beyond her literary achievements, Amrita Pritam maintains a significant presence in social media and public discourse. Her quotes and poetry continue to circulate on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook, inspiring new generations of writers and readers. In 2025, her name is still brandished as a literary icon, with numerous fan pages and literary groups dedicated to discussing her work and impact.
When British India was partitioned into the independent states of India and Pakistan in 1947, she migrated from Lahore to India, though she remained equally popular in Pakistan throughout her life, as compared to her contemporaries like Mohan Singh and Shiv Kumar Batalvi.
Education
Amrita Pritam's educational journey laid the foundation for her illustrious writing career. She began her studies at a local school in Gujranwala, Punjab, and later attended the University of Lahore, where her literary talents blossomed. Despite the challenges posed by the political upheavals during her formative years, she pursued her passion for literature, eventually carving a niche for herself in the literary world.
Though she began her journey as a romantic poet, she soon shifted gears, and became part of the Progressive Writers' Movement. The effect was seen in her collection, Lok Peed ("People's Anguish", 1944), which openly criticised the war-torn economy after the Bengal famine of 1943.
She was also involved in social work to a certain extent, and participated in such activities wholeheartedly after Independence, when social activist Guru Radha Kishan took the initiative to bring the first Janta Library in Delhi. This was inaugurated by Balraj Sahni and Aruna Asaf Ali, and she contributed to the occasion.
This study centre cum library is still running at Clock Tower, Delhi. She also worked at a radio station in Lahore for a while, before the partition of India.
